HCISD okays deficit budget for FY 2026

Hedley CISD trustees adopted a deficit budget Monday night following a public hearing as the school continues to look for ways to increase enrollment.

“We had a good meeting and good discussion, and we adopted a deficit budget due to a lack of enrolment,” Superintendent Tracey Langford said.

The shortfall of about $500,000 will be made up from the school’s reserves. Langford says Hedley has suffered a decrease in state funding with enrollment being below 90 students for the last two years. Hedley’s enrollment is 86 this week.

Langford says if they can boost enrollment back above 90, the state funds will increase. School officials continue to consider programs and incentives that might interest kids and families to help boost enrollment, and the school’s adoption of a hybrid calendar this year might draw some interest also. Under the hybrid calendar, Hedley will go to a four-day week following the Thanksgiving break.

Langford said the hybrid calendar was adopted for this year after a survey of teachers, kids, and parents. Classes will be held from 7:40 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. with the school year ending on May 21. Once a month teachers will have to stay an extra day to fulfill contract obligations, and students will be able to use those days for tutoring.

“We’re going to try it and see what it looks like,” Langford said. “We will survey again in the spring to see what people think about it.”

Langford said one thing trustees have not talked about going for another Voter-Approved Tax Ratification Election (VATRE). Last November, Hedley ISD voters said “no” to a proposed 12-cent increase in the school’s tax rate.

The VATRE rate could have brought in about $257,000 in new revenue but was turned down at the polls 108-135.

Hedley trustees Monday approved a tax rate of $0.65610 per $100 valuation, which Langford said is about 2.98 increase over the current rate.

Langford said the school is looking forward to a positive year.
“We have a good staff and good group of kids, and we’re off to a good start,” Langford said.